Apparatus for maintaining vegetables and the like in fresh condition



Sept. 29, 1936. w. A. REICH ET AL APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING VEGETABLES AND THE LIKE IN FRESH CONDITION Filed March 22, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 29, 1936. w. A. REICH ET AL 5 3 APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING VEGETABLES AND THE LIKE IN FRESH CONDITION Filed March 22, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 29, 1936. w. A. REICH ET AL 2,055,731

APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING VEGETABLES AND THE LIKE IN FRESH CONDITION Filed March 22, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENT S Wa/fel' fl. fi ficfr 9 fgr/es h. ind/wood.

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING VEGETA- BLES AND THE LIKE IN FRESH CONDI- TION assignor to said Reich Application March 22, 1935, Serial No. 12,412

Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for maintaining vegetables and the like in fresh condition and more particularly to an apparatus of that character for supporting and displaying vegetables and similar articles subject to dehydration when exposed to air, and has for its principal object to provide a support for said vegetables and the like wherein dehydration thereof is retarded and the articles are kept in fresh, crisp condition.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a support with means for intermittently applying a mist over the articles supported, and to effect evaporation of the mist for reducing temperature of the articles and to prevent them from becoming waterlogged.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a support embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the longitudinal center of the support on the line 2-2, Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the spray and air ducts, particularly illustrating the operating mechanism for reciprocating the ducts longitudinally of the support.

Fig. 4 is a similar section illustrating shift of the clutch to reverse movement of the carriage.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section through the support.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section through the nozzle supporting carriage.

Fig. '7 is a detail'section through one of the spray nozzles.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section through the gear mechanism for reversing direction of movement of the carriage.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a frame including end members 2 and 3 each comprising vertical angle members 4 and 5 connected at their upper ends by a horizontal angle bar 6 and by end sheets I. The lower ends of the angle members 4 and 5 are connected to the horizontal angle member 5 by angle braces B and 9. The frame members 2 and 3 are connected at their ends by side sheets I!) and. II which cooperate with the end sheets I to form a rectangular housing of substantially counter height for supporting a plurality of rows of trays I2I3 and I4I5.

The end sheets I extend above the horizontal angle members 6 and carry therebetween upwardly inclined plates I6 and I1 inset from upwardly inclined edges I8 and I9 of the sheets and which have their lower edges interconnected with the upper edges of the sheets I0 and II by means of webs 2| to support the rows of trays I2 and I5. The upper edges of the plates I6 and H are flanged inwardly as at 22 and 23 to support the Water catch pans 24 and 25 which slope downwardly toward the longitudinal center of the housing and have upwardly turned flanges 26 and 21 spaced apart to form a passageway 28 therebetween for a purpose later described.

The opposite sides of the water pans 24 and 25 have upwardly inclined flanges 29 and 30 to cooperate with the web portions 2| and with the ends sheets to house the trays I2 and I5.

The opposite ends of the upper rows of trays I3 and I4 are supported on flanges 3| and 32 of longitudinal angle members 33 and 34 having their ends fixed to the extensions of the plates 1 at a higher elevation than the pans. The opposite flanges 35 and 36 of the angles extend upwardly to cooperate with the flanged ends of the plates 22 and 23 to prevent shifting movement of the trays.

The trays are thus supported in inclined position with the trays l2 and I5 at a greater angle of inclination than the trays I3 and I4 in order to support and display vegetables and the like that may be inserted into the respective trays.

The angles 33 and 34 are spaced apart to provide a passageway 3'! therebetween which cooperates with the passageway 28 for reciprocatory travel therethrough of air and spray nozzle conduits 38 and 39 that are moved longitudinally of the rack by means of a carriage 40 as later described.

In supports of this character wherein vegetables and other articles are exposed to the air, the vegetables are constantly subject to dehydra tion which not only affects their salability, but also results in loss to the merchant because of shrinkage due to the loss of the moisture content. It has been found that to prevent excessive evaporation of the moisture content, the vegetables may be wetted by applying a mist like spray.

While the spray prevents dehydration of the vegetables, it has the disadvantage in that it causes them to become water-logged and injures their salability to as great an extent as that due to their loss of moisture.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention, as above pointed out, to provide means for intermittently subjecting the vegetables to a spray and to effect evaporation of the moisture, thereby preventing the vegetables from becoming water-logged, reducing the temperature thereof, and retaining them in a better state of preservation, as now to be described.

Extending longitudinally of the rack in laterally offset relation with the passageways 28 are channel shaped track members 4i and 42 having their ends fixed to and supported upon the angle members 6. The channels are arranged on edge with their flanges 33 and 44 in facing relation as best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 to form upper and lower track surfaces for guidingly supporting the carriage 40.

The carriage 40 includes a primary frame 45 including longitudinal angles 46 and 41 con nected at their ends by cross bars 48 and 49 having their ends fixed to the horizontal flanges 50 of the longitudinal angles to form a rectangular shaped frame of slightly narrower width than the track spacing to mount a secondary frame 5! The secondary frame is inset in the primary frame and comprises longitudinal angles 52 and 53 of shorter length than the longitudinal angles 46 and 41 and which are arranged with their horizontal flanges 54 and 55 extending outwardly in the direction of the horizontal flanges of the angles 46 and 47.

The ends of the angles 52 and 53 are connected by a cross bar 56 and a plate 51 respectively that are welded or otherwise attached to the horizontal flanges 54 and 55. Rotatably mounted on suitable pins 58 and 59 at the respective ends of the angles 52 and 53 are pairs of rollers 69 and 6| having peripheral grooves 62 and 63 therein for respectively receiving the inwardly extending horizontal flanges of the longitudinal angles 46 and 41.

It is thus apparent that the secondary frame is mounted for relative longitudinal movement within the primary frame, which relative movement forms an important part in reversing directional travel of the carriage as later described.

The ends of the primary carriage are supported upon pairs of rollers 64 and 65 operably engaging between flanges of the track members 4| and 42 as best illustrated in Fig. 6.

In order to prevent lateral movement of the carriage relatively to the track members, the flanges thereof also carry guide rollers 66 and 61 arranged with their axes vertical so that the periphery thereof engages the inner faces of the webs 68 and 69 of the track members as shown in Fig. 6.

Carried on the horizontal flange of the angle member 46 of the primary frame is a motor 10 which drives a power shaft II through a reduction gearing I2 that is rigidly attached to the motor housing.

Located on the plate 51 is a gear housing I3 in which is rotatably mounted a pair of facing bevel gears I4 and I5. The gears I4 and 15 have hubs I6 and II which are mounted in the inner races of roller bearing sets I8 and I9 that are carried in recesses and ti in the respectiveends of the housing in axial alignment with the shaft II.

Extending slidably through a bearing opening 82 in the side of the housing and through the hubs I6 and H of the gears is a shaft 83 having flexible connection 84 with the shaft II. Extending through the shaft 83 intermediate the gears 14 and I5 is a pin or clutch member 85 to be selectively engaged with clutch faces 86 and 81 formed on the hubs of the bevel gears.

Meshing with the teeth of the gears I4 and I5 is a bevel gear 88 fixed to the end of a shaft 89 that is rotatably mounted in a bearing opening 90 formed in a cover plate 9| closing an open side of the housing I3. The opposite end of the shaft projects through the plate and carries fixed thereto a sprocket wheel 92 operably engaging the links of a chain 93. The chain 93 extends longitudinally of the rack at a point intermediate the track members and has its ends fixed to vertical flanges 94 and 95 of angle irons 96 and 91 extending across and fixed to the ends of the track members.

In order to increase the extent of driving contact of the sprocket with the chain, the plate 9I carries idler rollers 98 and 99 having their axes located in substantially horizontal alignment with the axis of the shaft 89 for engaging the under side of the chain while the teeth of the sprocket engage the upper side of the chain as shown in Fig. 2.

It is. thus apparent that when the motor is operated and the pin 85 is engaged with the bevel gear 74, the bevel gear 88 will be rotated in one direction to cause rolling movement of the sprocket 92 on the chain 93 in one direction and when the pin is engaged with the bevel gear I5, the sprocket will rotate in reverse direction. I am, therefore, enabled to eifect movement of the primary carriage longitudinally of the track in either direction depending upon which of the bevelled gears is engaged with the pin.

With the construction thus far described, it is apparent that when the secondary frame which mounts the gear housing is moved to the right in Fig. 3, the pin 85 will engage the bevel gear I5 and when the secondary carriage is moved in the opposite direction, the pin will engage the gear I4.

We, therefore, provide means for shifting the secondary frame relatively to the primary frame when the carriage reaches the respective ends of the track member.

This is accomplished by providing the primary frame with a shift rod I88 having its ends mounted in angle brackets IIJI and I82 carried by the end cross members of the primary frame and which is yieldingly retained so that the ends of the shift rod project equal distances from the bearing brackets by springs I 03 and I04 coiled about the ends of the shaft and having one of their ends bearing against the brackets and their other ends anchored to the shaft by pins I85.

Threaded into the ends of the shift rod are adjusting screws I86 and I9! having heads I98 adapted to respectively engage against the vertical flanges of the angle members 96 and 9'! when the carriage reaches the respective ends of the track. The screws I96 and I0! are held in adjusted position relatively to the rod by lock nuts I I8 threaded thereon and engaging the ends of the rod.

Assuming that the carriage is moving in the direction of the angle 47, the head of the adjusting screw 5? engages against the vertical flange of the angle 91. The movement of the carriage is yieldingly stopped due tothe spring I03. However, since the pin 85 is still in engagement with the gear l5, the sprocket will continue its movement along the chain 93 which causes slight shifting movement of the secondary carriage relatively to the primary carriage.

Since the motor is carried by the primary carriage, and the shaft 83 is fixed relatively to the motor, the gears I4 and I5 will shift to the right on the shaft 83 moving the pin out of engagement with the gear and cause its engagement with the gear 14. Immediately upon engagement of the pin with the gear I4,- the sprocket 92 will be rotated in the opposite direction to reverse movement of the carriage. The carriage will then move along the track toward the left until the adjusting screw I55 engages the angle member 35, whereupon the primary frame is stopped, but the secondary carriage continues to have slight movement since the pin remains in engagement with the gear 74. However, its relative movement between the secondary and-primary carriages causes the pin to disengage with the gear 14 and to reengage with the gear I5 to again reverse movement of the carriage.

It is thus obvious that the carriage will reciprocate back and forth upon the track carrying the spray and air nozzles now to be described.

Fixed to the longitudinal angle 46 of the primary carriage are L fittings I I I and H2 carrying laterally extending nipples H3 and H4 to which are connected L fittings H5 and H6. Screwed into the fittings H5 and I I6 are vertical pipes in and H8 extending upwardly through the passageways to a point above the uppermost trays I3 and I4.

Fixed to the upper ends of the pipes are T fittings I IS and I26 carrying lateral branches I2I and I22, the lateral branches I2I and I22 constituting arms for supporting the ends of angles I23 and I24 which form a frame for supporting the spray mechanism now to be described.

Connected with the T fitting I is a nipple I25 carrying an L shaped fitting I26 which in turn carries a nipple I21 having a T fitting I28.

Screwed intothe T fitting I 28 are laterally directed pipes I29 and I33 having their ends terminating above the center of the upper rows of trays I3 and I 4. The ends of the pipes are enclosed by plugs I3I and I32.

Formed in the lower peripheries of the pipe adjacent the ends thereof are port holes I33 forming jets through which the water is sprayed over the vegetables carried in the trays.

In order to adjust size of the spray, the pipes carry sleeves I34 and I35 having openings I33 adapted to be moved relatively to the openings I33 when the sleeves are rotated on the pipes. The sleeves preferably comprise bands having apertured ears I31 and I38 for mounting screws I 34 by which the bands are tightened on the shaft when the apertures I36 are in adjusted position to the ports I33.

In order to spread the spray, the jets are discharged against plate members I4!) and MI carried in a pan I42 that is supported by the angle members 523 and I24 as best shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The sprays upon impinging against the plates are directed upwardly and outwardly from the sides of the pan in the form of a mist to settle upon the vegetables.

Water collecting in the pan passes off through a drain pipe I43 connected with a T I44 inserted in the vertical pipe I I1 previously described and from where the water drainsintoone of the pans 24 and 25 through a T fitting I44 located in the vertical pipe below the T justdescribed. In order to insure that the Water is discharged into the pan, the outlet to the T is extended by a nipple I45.

Carried by the motor housing is a fan housing I46 in which is rotatably mounted a fan rotor I41 driven by an extended shaft of themotor- Connected to the outlet to the fan housing is a vertical conduit I48 forming the air delivery nozzle 38, previously mentioned.

The conduit extends upwardly through the passageways and terminates slightly above the upper edges of the trays I3 and I4 where it is provided with laterally directed outlets I49 and I50 where through air is delivered onto the upper surface of the vegetables in the trays.

In order to direct the air downwardly onto the vegetables, the upper end of the conduit carries downwardly directed deflectors I5I and I52.

Formed in the conduit at a point above the water pans 24 and 25 which catch the water drippings from the vegetables in the trays I3 and I4 are outlets I53 and I54 for discharging jets of air against the bottom of the vegetables to eifect partial evaporation of the spray.

In order to frictionally latch the secondary frame with the primary frame, the primary carriage has a plate extending laterally from the angle to mount a pivoted lever I55 terminating in a hooked shaped end I56 to frictionally engage a lug I57 projecting laterally from the angle of the secondary frame. The lever arm is yieldingly retained in engagement with the lug by a spring I58 coiled about a threaded stud I59 that extends through an opening I60 in the lever arm, one end of the spring engaging against the lever arm and the other against a wing nut I5I threaded-on the end of the stud to adjust tension of the spring. The hook shaped end of the lever arm is not such as to latchingly restrict movement of the secondary frame relatively to the primary frame, but is of'such shape that the spring yieldingly retains the hook shaped end in engagement with T suitable drain pipes I63 and I64 connected to a common pipe I65 leading to a sewer or other place of disposal, not shown.

While the spray may be operated continuously, we provide means operable incidental to shifting movement of the carriage frames for shuttingofi the sprays when the carriage is moving in one direction across the support.. This is accomplished by providing the pipe I I4 with a valve I 65 located in substantial alignment with the-bar 56 of the secondary frame. The valve I66 has an actuating stem I61 that extends into position for engaging a cam lug I68 on the'bar 56 when the secondary carriage is shifted toward the left in reference to Fig. 3, so that whenthecarriage is moved to the left, the lug retains the stem in depressed condition to open the valve. When the carriage moves in the opposite direction and the inner frame shifts to the right, the cam lug I 68 will move away from the stem to permit closing of the valve.

In order to confine the sprays, the angles I23 and I24 may carry a hood I59 that projects outwardly over the pan I42 as best illustrated in Fig. 5.

In operating an apparatus constructed and assembled as described, perishable vegetables, fruit or similar articles are placed in the trays I3 and I4. The motor I6 is then energized to rotate the shaft'82 which drives one or the other of the bevel gears I4 or I5 through the pin 85 depending upon which one of the gears is engaged by the pin.

Assuming that the pin engages the clutch face of the gear 74 and assuming that the gear 14 rotates in an anti-clockwise direction relatively to the face thereof, the sprocket 92 will rotate in an anti-clockwise direction, Fig. 2, to cause movement of the carriage toward the left.

When the carriage is moving in this direction, the cam lug I68 is held in position to open the valve I66 so that water is delivered through the pipe I E8 to the respective jets I33.

The volume of water admitted through the jet may be controlled by regulating the relative relation of the jet I33 with the port I36 in the sleeve E35. After the adjustment, the sleeve may be tightened to hold it in adjusted position by manipulating the screw I39.

The water is then discharged against the plates 14!] and m from which it is deflected upwardly and outwardly to fall in a mist over the vegetables simultaneously with movement of the carriage.

When the carriage reaches the left hand side of the machine, Fig. 2, the set screw on the rod IUD will engage the flange 94 of the angle 96 to stop movement of the primary frame; however, due to the fact that the pin remains in engagement with the gear 14, the secondary carriage will continue movement in the same direction. However, shifting movement of the secondary carriage relatively to the primary carriage causes the pin to move out of engagement with the gear 14 and to engage with the gear 15.

This shifting movement is also supplemented by recoil of the compressed spring I 04 to cause initial reverse movement of the primary frame. This carries the pin past the dead center position between the gears and into positive engagement with the gears 15. When the pin engages the gear 15, the sprocket is rotated in reverse direction to move the carriage toward the right, Fig. 2.

As the carriage is moved to the right, the secondary frame shifts to the right relatively to the primary frame to allow closing of the valve I66 to shut off the spray; however, during movement of the carriage, the fan is operating to blow air streams over and under the respective trays to cause evaporation of the water spray thereon. This drying effect of the air prevents the vegetables from becoming water-logged and also reduces their temperature incidental to the evaporation.

When the carriage comes to the opposite end of the support and the screw I01 engages the angle 91, the secondary carriage is caused to shift in the opposite direction relatively to the primary carriage to again reverse movement thereof.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that we have provided an apparatus for maintaining vegetables and the like in fresh, crisp condition to not only increase the salability of the merchandise, but to prevent drying out thereof which ordinarily esults in loss of profit to the merchant.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track including primary and secondary frames movable relatively to each other, a motor carried by one of the frames, reversing means mounted on the other frame and operatively connected with the motor, means engaged with said reversing means to effect movement of the carriage along the track, and means connected with the carriage and support for shifting one of the frames relatively to the other to actuate said reversing means for reciprocating the carriage on the track.

2. In an apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track including primary and secondary frames movable relatively to each other, a motor carried by one of the frames, reversing means mounted on the other frame and operatively connected with the motor, means engaged with said reversing means to effect movement of the carriage a10ng the track, means connected with the carriage and support for shifting one of the frames relatively to the other to actuate said reversing means for reciprocating the carriage on the track, and spray means mounted on the carriage for spraying articles carried by said support.

3. In an apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track including primary and secondary frames movable relatively to each other, a motor carried by one of the frames, reversing means mounted on the other frame and operatively connected with the motor, means engaged with said reversing means to effect movement of the carriage along the track, means connected with the carriage and support for shifting one of the frames relatively to the other to actuate said reversing means for reciprocating the carriage on the track, spray means mounted on the carriage for spraying articles carried by said support, and valve means carried by said spray means and actuated incidental to relative movement of the frames for controlling said spray means.

4. In an apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track including primary and secondary frames movable relatively to each other, a motor carried by one of the frames, reversing means mounted on the other frame and operatively connected with the motor, means engaged with said reversing means to effect movement of the carriage along the track, yieldable means mounted on one of the frames for shifting one of the frames relatively to the other to actuate said reversing means for reciprocating the carriage on the track, and spray means mounted. on the carriage for spraying articles carried by said support.

5. In an apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track including primary and secondary frames movable relatively to each other, a motor carried by one of the frames, reversing means mounted on the other frame and operatively connected with the motor, means engaged with said reversing means to effect movement of the carriage along the track, means mounted on one of the frames for shifting one of the frames relatively to the other to actuate said reversing means for reciprocating the carriage on the track, spray means mounted on the carriage for spraying articles carried by said support, means mounted on said spray means and actuable incidental to relative movement of the frames for controlling said spray means, and air delivery means mounted on the carriage for evaporating a part of the spray collecting on said articles.

6. An apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track, spray means mounted on the carriage, an air delivery means mounted on the carriage, and means mounted on said carriage and support for moving the carriage along the track for spraying articles carried by the support and for vaporizing a portion of the spray collecting on said articles.

'7. An apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track, spray means mounted on the carriage, means mounted on said carriage and support for moving the carriage along the track for spraying articles carried by the support, and means mounted on the support and cooperable with the carriage for reversing movement of the carriage on the track.

8. An apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track, spray means mounted on the carriage, means mounted on the carriage and cooperable with the support for moving the. carriage along the track for spraying articles carried by the support, means mounted on the carriage and support for reversing movement of the carriage on the track, and means mounted on the carriage for rendering said spray means ineffective when the carriage is moved in one direction on the track.

9. An apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track, spray means mounted on the carriage, means mounted on the support and carriage for moving the carriage along the track for spraying articles carried by the support, and means mounted on the carriage for intermittently rendering said spray means ineffective.

10. In combination with a support, movable means mounted on the support for spraying a liquid upon articles carried by the support, and means mounted on the support and cooperable with said movable means for evaporating a portion of the liquid from said articles.

11. In combination with a support, means for spraying a liquid upon articles carried by the support, means carried by said support for evaporating a portion of the liquid from said articles, and means carried by said spraying means and cooperable with said support for intermittently operating said spraying means.

12. In combination with a support, means for spraying a liquid upon articles carried by the support, means carried by the support for evaporating a portion of the liquid from said articles, and means carried by said spraying means and engageable with said support for bodily moving said spraying means along the support.

13. In combination with a support, means for spraying a liquid upon articles carried by the support, means carried by said support for evaporating a portion of the liquid from said articles, and means carried by said spray means and engageable with said support for bodily reciprocating said spray means along the support.

14. In combination with a support, a carriage movably connected with the support, means mounted on the carriage for spraying a liquid upon articles carried by the support, means mounted on the carriage for evaporating a portion of the liquid from said articles, and means carried by said carriage and cooperable with said support for reciprocating the carriage.

15. In an apparatus of the character described including a support, a track carried by the support, a carriage mounted on the track including primary and secondary frames movable relatively to each other, a motor carried by one of the frames, reversing means mounted on the other frame and operatively connected with the motor, means engaged by said reversing means to effect movement of the carriage along the track, means mounted on one of the frames for shifting one of the frames relatively to the other to actuate said reversing means for reciprocating the carriage on the track, spray means mounted on the carriage for spraying articles carried by said support, means mounted on said spray means and actuatable incidental to relative movement of the frames for controlling said spray means, air delivery means mounted on the carriage for evaporating a part of the spray collecting on said articles, and a fan connected with said motor for supplying air to said air delivery means.

WALTER A. REICH. CHARLES H. SMALLWOOD. 

